Heart Failure
Waikato Integrated Heart Failure service
Nurse-led heart failure service provides a continuum of care under cardiology from Waikato Hospital. Providing services in the community including expert care, support, titration of medication and education. The team of six clinical nurse specialists in heart failure management works closely with Cardiologists and General Practice health professionals.
Services provided
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Specialist clinics (CNS and cardiologists), home visits, telephone support
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Patient and family/whānau education: heart failure knowledge and self-care
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Clinical monitoring, +/- titration of heart failure medications in consultation with GP and/or cardiologist
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Professional education/CME for other health professionals and community teams
Key personnel
Dr Raewyn Fisher
Medical Director, Heart Failure Service
Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Cathy Callagher
- Debbie Chappell
- Eileen Gibbons
- Maria Prendergast
- Nick Smith
- Dai Te Wiata
Location
The clinical nurse specialists are based at Tokoroa, Te Kuiti, Thames and Waikato Hospitals . The team also works out of community bases across Waikato DHB's health district.
Contact
The service can be contacted via the telephone operators at the rural hospitals, Thames Hospital or Waikato Hospital.
Referral is only through your GP, community health or hospital service. Self-referrals are not accepted.
Inclusion criteria
- Confirmed Heart Failure diagnosis (with supported evidence on CXR, BNP +/- proven reduced EF)
- Priority is given to HFrEf (where medication uptitration is of proven benefit)
- Patients of advanced age and/or multiple co-morbidity and/or social, compliance concern are best managed in primary care
Referral to service does not guarantee acceptance. Decline referrals are discussed with Heart Failure SMO, and referrer notified.
Examples of patients not considered
- Patients with terminal illness
- Chronic renal disease on dialysis
- Rest home patients
- Non consenting
How to refer
- GP referral via BPAC - Regional Referral Centre (RRC) - Cardiology – Heart Failure
- Community Regional Referral - Centre Cardiology – Heart Failure
- From in patient ward scan to email: heartfailureservice@waikatodhb.health.nz
Objective
- Educate
- Titrate
- Stabilise
- Discharge
Anticipated time in service 1-6 months, most < 3 months
NO long term – these to be referred to:
- Chronic Disease state management nurses
- Primary care
The clinical nurse specialists working in the Waikato Integrated Heart Failure service
Rural areas
Debbie Chappell
CNS Heart Failure
Daman Kaur
CNS Heart Failure
Nick Smith
CNS Heart Failure
Hamilton City areas
Eileen Gibbons
CNS Heart Failure
Catherine Callagher
CNS Heart Failure
Dai Te Wiata
CNS Heart Failure